Is Blake Corum ready to challenge for RB#1?

The Los Angeles Rams' running back room for 2025 appears well-stocked with three young prospects: Kyren Williams (ranked 85th best player by peers), rookie Jarquez Hunter (noted for big plays in college), and Blake Corum.

Blake Corum, drafted in the Top 100 last year, saw limited action (119 offensive reps) before breaking his arm early in the season finale. His rookie season stats included 207 rushing yards on 58 carries (3.6 YPC), 7 catches for 58 yards, and 186 kickoff return yards, with no touchdowns.

Corum is described as a natural runner with good feel for the game. At just under 5'8" and 205 lbs (he prefers 210 lbs), he possesses quick darting moves, jump cuts, lateral agility, burst, balance, and change of direction skills, reflected in strong Combine times (3cone: 6.82, shuttle: 4.12). While his long speed (4.53) and 10-yard split (1.58) are solid but not outstanding, film suggests he accelerates quickly (reaching 21.1 mph in 4 seconds).

He is not a scat back or a true power back, despite a powerfully built, compact frame (like a "fire hydrant") and exceptional strength (27 bench press reps). His low center of gravity and leg drive make him difficult to tackle without a full wrap-up.

Corum excels at pressing the line of scrimmage with exceptional vision to identify holes and read blocks. He hits creases decisively but also shows patience and nimbleness, waiting for blocks to set up before exploding tightly off them, particularly gaining extra yards at the second level.

While draft previews questioned his receiving ability due to limited use at Michigan, his film shows good hands, quick transition from run to catch, and reliability on check downs. Improvement is possible, but the Rams' offense doesn't require extensive route running from backs.

The Rams, under GM Snead and Coach McVay, have consistently drafted running backs with mixed results. While Kyren Williams (Round 5) is a success, Cam Akers (Rd2) and Darrell Henderson (Rd3) underperformed relative to draft position. Later picks like Zach Evans, Jake Funk, John Kelly, and Sam Rogers did not pan out. Drafting Hunter (Rd3 #90) and Corum (Rd3 #83) in consecutive years mirrors the Henderson/Akers selections in 2019/2020.

Overall, the Rams enter 2025 with a running back group flush with potential.